I have one good window for growing plants. It is a large picture window that faces east. Over the years I've grown many things there as I go through my various plant fads...cactus, African violets,orchids, amarylis, ferns, coleus, iris seedlings and begonia tubers until they can go out to the garden. Now I'm back to African violets. My favorite nursery just called and has a new shipment in and I hope to go tomorrow and see if there are some I just can't live without. Here is a look at some of them.....

They are beautiful Paul. I've been thinking of getting back into AV's. for the very reason the do bloom all year long in a bright window.

Alan

Some beautiful colors you have there

I just wish they came in true blue!

Paul, they are really pretty. I have several AV in an East window also and they do very well there. Right now none of them are blooming but they were just recently. Here are a few pics taken a bit ago.

Nice violets Holly...most of mine are in bloom now which lifts my spirits in the winter. A few are not but I hope they will start when the current ones are winding down. I have actually been watering and grooming them this morning.

They were all doing very nicely but we have had some pest issues I treated the violets with a spray. Wasn't sure how it would affect the leaves but they did just fine. The flowers were looking a bit sad before I treated them so I pick them all off. I am thinking they will come back soon. What do you use and how do you treat your AV for pests.

Hi Holly!

I just have a few. Paul, I love both your blue w/ white picotee and the white with the blue ... Marbling? Don't know what you'd call it.

I haven't had any pest problems with my AV's except fungus gnats. They don't attack the violets but live in the moist soil. I have heard that the larvae sometimes eat the roots but haven't had that problem. They are irritating to have around.

I have had some mealy bug issues and one of the affected plants was very close. It was the first time I have ever had problems with AV. They really did well with the spraying. I am so careful not to get water on them so spraying them was something I didn't want to have to do.

What did you spray them with, Holly? I had an identical problem and sprayed an alcohol/ water mix on them. Ruined the blooms but kept the leaves for another day.

Stupid mealy bugs.

First I used a Neem Oil, water & alcohol. Then later when I saw more of them I came back with Bonide Systemic. I was surprised that they tolerated the spraying. I had 5 AV and 4 of them look fine one was in very bad shape after the Neem spraying for some reason I lost that one. I also sprayed the Streptocarpus and it is also doing fine and blooming. I wouldn't treat these unless I saw signs of some serious pest.

Evidently the "first" treatment has to be two weeks apart, just because the first spray kills the adults but not the eggs they've laid. Of course, if you don't catch the new adults fast, they, too, lay eggs.

I had two that my mom watered for me while I was out of town.... ooops..... they rotted. But I did save a couple of leaves and have them under a plastic dome to see if I can get my pretties back....

I envy you! Mine died at my old place, starting flourishing at my new place, but now I think the (warmest) room is too cold and it's been too dark here. I'm losing them again!

one of my AV's is blooming again. It is the first one since I treated them for pests a few months ago.

Pretty....I love the ones with white edges. The plant looks healthy.

I got some really nice ones three weeks ago. A red, a white and pink ruffled, and a lilaca nd white ruffled. I immediately dropped the pot with the lilac and white ruffled when I was cleaning under neath it, and broke a bunch of the blooms off, and a couple of the leaves. I've grown them before, they are tough cookies. I'm sure it will come back Here is a picture of one of mine.

Very pretty.....

I [unfortunately] have a puppy and kitten in the house - and I am here to tell you that African Violets do not like foot traffic, even kitty-paws. Thank goodness they're tough!

lol! They don't like being dropped in the sink either!!